In response to statements about recent verdicts by military courts, the Foreign Office reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to fulfilling all its international human rights obligations and GSP Plus Scheme commitments on Tuesday.
“Pakistan’s legal system is consistent with international human rights law including provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR),” the FO Spokesperson said in a statement.
She said that “the verdicts had been made under a law enacted by the Parliament of Pakistan and in line with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.”
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the country’s legal system provides remedies for judicial review by superior courts and ensures the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The statement also highlighted that Pakistan values constructive and productive dialogue to promote the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
“We remain fully committed to implementing our commitments under the GSP Plus Scheme and core international human rights conventions,” she said.
“We will continue to engage with our international partners including the European Union to uphold the international human rights law, without any discrimination and double standards”, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch underscored.
Mumtaz Zahra Baloch emphasized that the country’s legal system provides remedies for judicial review by superior courts and ensures the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The statement also highlighted that Pakistan values constructive and productive dialogue to promote the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller in his post on X (formerly Twitter) said, “The United States is concerned by the sentencing of Pakistani civilians in a military tribunal and calls upon Pakistani authorities to respect the right to a fair trial and due process.”
The EU also described the sentencing of Pakistani civilians by a military tribunal as inconsistent with Pakistan’s obligations under the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).
